An entire afternoon was spent with Lynch performing the astonishing century-old magic trick of exchanging ninety-seven cents for a dollar, after which three young people successfully joined the construction of the Great Empire.
They are about to begin their promising new jobs soon. The reason they were chosen wasn't for their eloquence, but because they had a substantial family background.
In other words, they had enough money to contribute. They would use their own money to help Lynch make more money and still thank him for leading them to wealth.
In some respects, the work Lynch is currently engaged in does not possess any "risk resistance," and this risk refers to the possibility of being imitated.
In a scenario without technical monopoly, low-tech businesses always face the risk of being imitated, which is the ceiling that low-tech and low-cost businesses struggle to exceed because everyone can do it.
Turning big money into small change and then turning it back into more big money from those in need seems like something anyone can do, as long as you have a certain amount of small change.
Indeed, this is the case, but there are also small issues within it. These issues are the true core of the business, which is the problem of trust.
Some people always complain about the unfairness of society. Why can some people be so busy that customers have to line up while others next door have no visitors at all?
The reason is actually very simple, trust!
Without trust, it's like two islands with no connection; there will be no interaction between them. But with trust, it's equivalent to having a bridge. Before the bridge is destroyed, the connection between the two islands will always remain close.
Lynch can't prevent others from engaging in this business, but he has his own advantages.
He brought Richard and the other two young men—each with their own agendas yet full of confidence—back to the office. This was a temporarily rented warehouse where Lynch hired two carpenters to set up a simple office inside, dividing the warehouse into two parts.
They would work in this warehouse located outside the urban center. Fortunately, due to convenient city transportation and the unique nature of their work, they didn't need to come every day and naturally wouldn't complain about the office being far from downtown.
Lynch gave them the task that once they gathered enough small change, they could come to the office to exchange it with him, and then they could go out to collect more change.
This warehouse office was like a beehive; he was the queen bee, and these employees were the hardworking worker bees.
After assigning work to the three, Lynch also left. He needed to talk to Mr. Fox about the upcoming business issues.
About half an hour later, Lynch met Mr. Fox again in that basement. Coincidentally, Mr. Fox was just about to send someone to find Lynch.
"You came just in time..." He tossed a cigarette to Lynch, walked from behind the desk to the sofa, and sat down next to Lynch.
Thanks to Lynch's help, he had solved many major problems. Watching the money being deposited into the bank from various hidden corners, he felt unprecedented happiness.
The numbers on his passbook satisfied him for the first time, so much that he applied for a five-thousand-dollar cash check, which he could openly use for expenses outside.
This feeling soared him to new heights and made him increasingly realize the importance of sending money to the bank. For this, he helped Lynch with a small favor, which he was about to discuss.
He took the initiative to light Lynch's cigarette, an action that caused the robust men around to show surprise. Mr. Fox seldom did this; he was a proud man!
"...Michael won't hassle you anymore!" he said confidently, planning to savor Lynch's surprise, shock, and delight. However, he found that Lynch seemed devoid of these emotions, facing him calmly and serenely.
He suddenly smiled, "I knew you wouldn't be surprised; this kind of foresight is itself strange..." He trailed off, "Forget it, I'll stop here. Michael has left Sabin City today and won't return for at least a dozen days."
"And once he returns, he won't bother you much. I warned him!" he said, raising his head a bit, looking quite self-important.
At this moment, Lynch realized the reason for Michael's sudden return home yesterday afternoon. He was intrigued by this mature experience, "How did you do it?"
This question hit Mr. Fox's sweet spot. He enjoyed flaunting his not-so-outstanding intelligence in front of smart people like Lynch, "I consulted a Lawyer. If they want to avoid trouble, they should know what to do."
Lynch suddenly realized he had forgotten the biggest difference between this world and another, which was the role of a Lawyer.
In this world, the role of a Lawyer was infinitely magnified. On certain levels, they were even more useful than Judges—some Judges are uninterested in transactions, but all Lawyers are interested in money.
He silently kept these things in mind. Maybe he needed a lawyer friend, too.
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Fox!" This wasn't just polite; Fox's indication of his stance by hiring a Lawyer was proactive, and Lynch had to appreciate it.
Mr. Fox generously waved his hand, and Lynch continued, "The Tax Bureau has constantly been watching me, so I slightly changed our business approach..."
He then talked about his newly established company, introducing a new transaction method. In essence, it meant making everything public, leaving the Tax Bureau even less capable.
Mr. Fox just needed to have his men exchange some money for small change and then send the change to a laundry under the guise of "laundry money," completing the entire process.
Even if people from the Tax Bureau followed these men throughout, it would be meaningless. How many times a piece of clothing is washed, how it's washed, and how much it costs to wash are all personal choices, beyond anyone's interference.
However, Mr. Fox needed some trustworthy people to do these things, and the advantage of this approach was that not only would everyone be faster, but there would also be fewer downsides.
After discussing business, Lynch suddenly asked a question, "Mr. Fox, do you know about light therapy?"
Lynch's sudden change of subject left Mr. Fox momentarily confused. It took him a few seconds to regain his composure and nod, "Of course, I know. Is there something wrong with your health?"
In recent years, light therapy had inexplicably gained popularity, mainly divided into infrared and ultraviolet therapies, becoming quite fashionable in Middle Class and upper-class societies.
Many celebrities and social figures are keen on various forms of light therapy, and driven by the celebrity effect, more and more people have joined this trend that Lynch finds somewhat absurd.
Magazine and newspaper covers often feature young men and women, wearing sunglasses and comical swimming caps, half-naked, bathing in various lights.
The miraculous effects of light therapy are celebrated with almost divine reverence across society. They almost claim that even cancer can be treated with light therapy.
When Lynch asked about light therapy, Mr. Fox thought there was something wrong with his health. In reality, Lynch was very healthy. What he needed was not a light therapy session but an ultraviolet lamp.